1. United States
2. Okla.
3. Letter

The Trump administration's effort to purge over 26,000 images and online posts related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from the Department of Defense is deeply concerning. This database, confirmed by officials, targets content highlighting the remarkable achievements of women and minorities in the U.S. military. It seeks to erase references to pioneering figures like the Tuskegee Airmen, the first Black military pilots, as well as milestones such as the first women to pass Marine infantry training. Removing these images and posts does a disservice to the countless sacrifices and contributions made by servicemembers of diverse backgrounds throughout our nation's history. It undermines efforts to build an inclusive military that reflects the diversity of the country it defends. Furthermore, it sends a demoralizing message to current servicemembers from underrepresented groups. This purge is misguided and harmful. I urge you to advocate for preserving this vital content and promoting policies that foster diversity, equity, and inclusion within our armed forces. Erasing these stories dishonors our military's rich history and deprives future generations of role models. We must celebrate, not erase, the groundbreaking achievements of all who have served.